Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 35mm
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
What Buyers Say
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 35mm
This compact wide-angle lens is praised for its sharpness, especially in astrophotography and low-light conditions. Users love its small size and metal build, though some note a rough mounting mechanism. Overall, it delivers excellent image quality for its class.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Excellent sharpness
- Great for astrophotography
- Metal build quality
- Good micro contrast
Cons
- Rough mounting mechanism
- Not a daily lens for everyone
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
The Panasonic 8-18mm f/2.8-4 lens is highly praised for its excellent image quality, sharpness, and build. Users appreciate its compact size, light weight, and the ability to use screw-on filters, which is a key advantage over some competitors. While a few users noted it is pricey and one had sharpness issues on an Olympus body, the overwhelming majority recommend it for landscapes, interiors, and travel photography.
Pros
- Excellent image quality
- Sharp and crisp
- Compact and lightweight
- Accepts screw-on filters
- Weather-sealed
Cons
- Pricey
- Variable aperture
- No OIS
- Sharpness issues on some Olympus bodies
- Slight distortion at 8mm
Scores
Specifications
| Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 35mm | Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | prime | zoom |
| Focal Length Min | 12 mm | 8 mm |
| Focal Length Max | 12 mm | 18 mm |
| Elements | 11 | 15 |
| Groups | 8 | 10 |
| Aspherical Elements | 2 | 4★ |
| ED Elements | 1 | 3★ |
| Coating | ZERO Coating | Nano Surface Coating |
| Aperture | ||
| Max Aperture | f/22 | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2 | 2.8-4 |
| Constant | ✓★ | ✗ |
| Diaphragm Blades | 7 | 7 |
| Build | ||
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Format | micro-four-thirds | micro-four-thirds |
| Weather Sealed | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Weight | 0.13 kg★ | 0.31 kg |
| Filter Thread | 46 mm | 67 mm |
| AF & Stabilization | ||
| AF Type | MSC | 240-fps autofocus drive |
| Stabilization | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Focus | ||
| Min Focus Distance | 200 mm★ | 230 mm |
| Max Magnification | 0.08x | 0.12x★ |
Pros & Cons
Olympus M.Zuiko 12mm f/2 35mm
- Strong build (92nd percentile)92nd %ile
- Strong social proof (75th percentile)
- Strong optical (69th percentile)
- Strong user sentiment (66th percentile)
- Below average bokeh (14th percentile)14th %ile
- Below average aperture (22nd percentile)
- Below average macro (32nd percentile)
- Below average versatility (33rd percentile)
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4
- Strong optical (93rd percentile)93rd %ile
- Strong aperture (88th percentile)88th %ile
- Strong bokeh (87th percentile)87th %ile
- Strong build (83rd percentile)83rd %ile
Verdict
Scores 89 overall, wins 9 of 9 usage categories and 5 of 21 specs.